Epic Angels, the largest all-female investor collective globally, has joined a funding round for Opo Bio, a biotechnology startup based in New Zealand specializing in cell line manufacturing for cultivated meat and related sectors. The investment round is led by WNT Ventures, with contributions from Booster NZ, Inventors Fund, and subordinated funding through Callaghan Innovation.
“Opo Bio has cracked the code to make bio-manufacturing not just sustainable but also scalableE”
Founded by Olivia Ogilvie and Laura Domigan at the University of Auckland, Opo Bio develops patented technology focused on producing high-quality cell lines for bio-manufacturing applications, including cultivated meat, collagen, and medical industries. The company targets a key challenge in scaling bio-manufacturing processes by providing accessible and affordable cell lines, enabling downstream producers to focus on product development without the complexity of cell cultivation.
Olivia Ogilvie, CEO of Opo Bio, said, “With Opo having two female founders, we are so stoked to have Epic Angels backing us! We are particularly looking forward to leveraging the connections of our angel investors throughout the APAC region as we form critical partnerships over the next 18-months!”
Funding from this round will support expanding Opo Bio’s research and development, business development teams, and patent portfolio. The company emerged publicly in 2022 after a $1.5 million seed funding round and recently launched Opo-Oink, a porcine cell line range for cultivated pork production.
Opo Bio’s technology addresses significant environmental concerns related to traditional livestock farming, which is responsible for approximately 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions. By improving the scalability and cost efficiency of bio-manufacturing, the startup supports reductions in animal use and the associated carbon footprint.
Championing female-led innovation
Epic Angels is recognized as the fourth most active angel network in Asia and includes over 500 female investors. The collective focuses on supporting early-stage, female-led startups in the Asia-Pacific and Latin America regions through capital, mentorship, and networking.
Hester Spiegel-vdSteenhoven, founding partner of Epic Angels, commented on the investment: “Opo Bio has cracked the code to make bio-manufacturing not just sustainable but also scalable. Opo Bio has identified a clever way to revolutionize the bio-manufacturing industry by unbundling the value chain. This in combination with the strong IP developed by Olivia and Laura, will set them up for success, and we’re excited to support them with their growth plans by leveraging our global network of investors.”
